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Thailand South

Coastal Southern Thailand, Bangkok to Phuket

If you are looking to see the Thailand your friends visit on holiday, if you want the same experience as 99% of Westerners in Thailand, then this cycling holiday is absolutely not for you. If however you are looking to see a Thailand that is still the land of smiles, where Thai people are friendly and interested in why you are travelling through their country, a Thailand of fishermen and farmers and small seaside towns revolving around the laid-back local people, then it is difficult to think of a better way to see the country than cycling south Thailand.

If you wish to truly experience Thailand then this tour could well be for you.

 

At a Glance


Total Days: 13

Cycling Days: 10

Difficulty: 5/10

Daily Average: 70km

Off-Road: 5%

Max. Alt.: 300m


2024: 18 Feb - 01 Mar: $2950.00


The design brief for this tour was to keep it light and fun. An evening or pre-breakfast swim, relaxing on the beach plugged into an iPod, or simply enjoying the late afternoon sun with a cold beer and good company is as much a part of the character of this tour as the cycling.

Once we leave Bangkok most nights are spent within a stone's throw of a beach, sometimes right on the sand. Those overnight stops that are not beachside are chosen for their stunning location.

The roads we ride are, in the main part, quiet and generally well surfaced. We worked hard to plot a route that avoids the main highway and as a result, we have some wonderful winding trails, sometimes tarmac, sometimes concrete, and sometimes hard-packed dirt running through banana plantations and coconut groves. 

The route is as flat as any two-week cycling tour could be, although there are of course some climbs and on a couple of days, there are rolling undulations.

Accommodation is always air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms in guest-houses and hotels picked for their location and character.

 

Thanks for a truly memorable trip, I feel I have visited the Real Thailand on this tour, so well organised and amazing informative support crew. The selection of restaurants snacks and hotels were all fabulous too

Claire Brown on Thailand South

 

Highlights

Bangkok’s charming Samsen neighbourhood, sunset over the fairytale-like view at Ratchaprahpa Dam, the tranquil island of Koh Yao Noi, and Phuket’s lovely Nai Yang Beach. But above and beyond all a series of coastal roads tracks trails and beaches, Thai cuisine, and the ever-friendly people of Thailand away from the tourist trail.

 

Included in this tour

All accommodation, English speaking Thai guide, and tour leader,  support vehicle (1 or 2 depending on group size), meals on cycling days, snacks during cycling days, drinking water whilst cycling, ferries to and from Koh Yao Noi.

 

I had a great time on the Thailand tour, absolutely loved it (as expected) and I’ve already got some plans in my head for my next tour with you

Jane Slater on Thailand South

 

Joining instructions

If you arrive at either of Bangkok's International airports on the first day of the tour you will be met there and transferred to our joining hotel. If you are arriving on another day or are not flying in please let us know so that we can help with arrangements. Full joining instructions will be given during the week before the tour begins. Typically though the group will meet the tour leader in the hotel lobby early evening (between 5 and 6) for a briefing before heading out for dinner.

 

Difficulty

As two weeks cycling holidays go cycling south Thailand is fairly easy. The route is to a large extent flat, although there are one or two days with undulations. It should be noted that there are three days with a distance of between 90 and 110 KMS, so it is not a ride for the complete novice.

 

The care and hospitality of  Natt, our Thai guide and the support team was fantastic. Natt was full of information about the country and it’s people, Gore, who provided faultless ride support, kept our drinks bottles magically full and set out amazing picnics on our breaks, is the epitome of a true gentleman and Choi was always there to lend a helping hand!

Mel Whitmore on Thailand South

 

Bicycle advice

At PaintedRoads we hold firmly to the opinion that using your own bike, the bike on which you feel at home and comfortable is the finest way to enjoy a cycling adventure.

Most kinds of bicycle, except light-weight racing bikes, are suitable for this tour: touring bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids or cyclocross bikes are all fine. Road conditions vary from asphalt to gravel and some hard-packed dirt tracks. Tyres from 35mm in width upwards will be fine but we recommend 35mm on 700c, 40mm on 650b/27.5, and 2” on 26” wheels as a minimum.

South-East Asia is generally a warm place so the ability to carry one or two water bottles is essential (either on your bike or in a backpack). Our back-up vehicle carries water and tools although for those competent with tools bringing your own pump, puncture kit, and multi took is recommended as it would speed up repairs and minor adjustments. If bringing your own bike please bring along a few spare spokes that fit your wheels (please note that different wheels have different size spokes). If your bike has disk brakes or hub gears please bring any components that you feel may be necessary. We carry some spares for our hire bikes but we cannot guarantee that we will have necessary for your bicycle. If in doubt please ask at your local bike shop. A means of carrying your camera, sunblock etc is also useful – either an on-bike bag, handlebar or saddlebag for example or a lightweight day-pack.

ESSENTIAL! Please be sure that your bicycle is in perfect condition before you leave home. Again, if in doubt please consult your local bike shop.

 

The tour lived up to every expectation that we had. It was a fantastic mix of stress-free cycling on smooth, quiet roads, lush scenery, wonderful seascapes and company that we could only have dreamed about. We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this tour – the quality and thoroughness of the planning, the helpfulness of the tour staff but overall the quiet, unassuming role of the leader who ensured that every last detail was taken care of.

Eve & Dave Jones on Thailand South

 

Rental Bicycles

 

Rental Bikes: If you wish to hire a bicycle we can arrange for the hire of good quality cycles from our in-country agent. Typically these bikes are mountain bikes, often Trek 3 series or similar. Please request a hire bike at the time of booking. Payment for hire bikes can be made with the balance of the tour payment or in cash on arrival.

Rental Bicycle Recommendation. Although our hire bikes come equipped with a saddle if you have a saddle you use and are happy with it is strongly recommended that you use it on tour. If you use SPD type shoes please bring your own matching pedals. We are happy to fit these for you. You may also like to bring bar ends if you use them at home.

Print Itinerary

(meals key: B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner:; S = snacks)

 

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok.

Arriving at either Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang International Airport you will be met and transferred to our hotel in the Samsen district. A quiet residential area populated by Thai families and expats, Samsen gives a vastly different and more authentic view of Bangkok life than the more mainstream tourist areas. This evening the group will come together with their tour leader for a briefing and to get to know each other over a meal of delicious Thai food.

Cycling: 0KMS.

Meals:

 

Day 2: Bangkok to Pretchuap Khiri Khan.

Following breakfast, we will board our AC support bus and leave the hectic traffic of Bangkok far behind as we head to the coastal town of Pretchuap Khiri Khan.
Having arrived at our hotel, we have time to change before heading out for our first ride together, a loop of the environs. During this introduction to cycling in Thailand, we will pass colourful fishing boats, visit a beautiful wooden temple, visit a monkey colony, and have a cold drink on the beach in a military airbase; welcome to Thailand. 

Cycling: ~30KMS.

Meals:  BLDS

 

Day 3: Pretchuap Khiri Khan to Ban Krut.

Our first full day of cycling is a fascinating mix of smooth tarmac, hard packed dirt trails and concrete lanes as the route winds to and from the coast making its way south through coconut groves, palm oil plantations and a national park. We will arrive at the small Thai style holiday resort town of Ban Krut with daylight to spare for a pre-dinner dip in the briny.

Cycling: 75KMS.

Meals:   BLDS

 

Day 4: Ban Krut to Ban Bang Burd.

Leaving Ban Krut we follow mile after mile of deserted coastline and pass through a little fishing community before reaching a well-kept secret, a wonderful little cove where we will stop for our morning break.

Due to the short distance to be covered today we will reach the lovely little fishing village of Ban Bang Burd in time for lunch and a leisurely afternoon lounging by the resort’s pool or wandering around the bay that is the focal point of the village. At the northern end of the village colourful squid boats moor up during the day. Come nightfall we can watch the bright lights of these squid boats bob up along the horizon as we dine beachside.

Cycling: 60KMS.

Meals:   BLDS

 

Day 5: Ban Bang Burd to Thung Wau Lean.

We leave Bang Burd on a new, wide, perfectly surfaced road with wonderful red bicycle lanes. Despite the elaborate nature of this road, there is very little traffic and the views over the azure blue sea and emerald forests are quite stunning. Atop one of the rises is a Chinese temple well worth a visit for its huge statues of a wide selection of deities, its wonderful views, and its rather graphic depiction of the heaven and hell realms. The rest of the ride tracks the coast on quiet rural roads towards the little Thai resort town of Thung Wua Lean.

Cycling: 70KMS.

Meals:   BLDS

 

Day 6: Thung Wau Lean: Rest Day.

Thung Wau Lean is a quiet seaside town 20KMS north of the provincial capital town of Chumphon. A popular spot for Thai families to picnic by the beach on weekends it is still little frequented by Western tourists who prefer to take a ferry to the bustling islands of Koh Samui and Koh Pang Nang. There is plenty of scope here for more cycling, swimming, or in season kite surfing. For those inclined more towards relaxation, our resort boasts an infinity pool with fine views of the beach which is just meters away. The town offers plenty of dining and drinking opportunities ranging from traditional Thai seafood to pizza to a beachside blues bar.

Cycling: 0KMS.

Meals:    B

 

DAY 7: Thung Wau Lean to Paknam Lansuan

We begin by taking a back road route that navigates around the city of Chumphon without our even realising the city is there. A few kilometres of red dirt trail is necessary to avoid joining the main north-south Asia Highway. Back on sealed roads, we make our way through palm and coconut plantations where we may see trained monkeys collecting coconuts.

Tonight we again dine beachside as we overnight in a small characterful resort.

Cycling: 95KMS.

Meals: BLDS

 

DAY 8: Paknam Lansuan to Lam Sai Beach

Today we ride alongside beaches, through rubber and palm plantations and past fishing villages. Before we reach our destination for the day we take to a brief off-road section where we follow a sheer cliff face to a sacred meditation cave containing ancient Buddha statues. At the far side of the cavern, a huge reclining Buddha is illuminated by a shaft of natural light from a hole in the cave’s roof. After we leave the cave we make our way once more to the sea where our home for the night is once again on the beach, as is our restaurant.

Cycling: 85KMS.

Meals:  BLDS

 

DAY 9: Lam Sai Beach to Ratchaprapha  

This morning, we bid farewell to the Gulf of Thailand as we begin our southwesterly journey towards Phang Na Bay and Phuket. Along the way, we follow the Phum Duang River, visit a beautiful Buddha cave, and take a break in the grounds of a riverside temple before reaching our poolside resort set amidst the dramatic karst hills of the Kao Sok National Park. 

Cycling: 105KMS

Meals: BLDS

 

Day 10: Ratchaprapha to Ao Luk

We now head towards Ao Luk, our gateway to the jagged karst spires protruding through crystal sea at Phang Na Bay, an icon of Thai beach life. Our ride follows mostly rural roads, occasionally unsealed, weaving through palm groves and rubber plantations. 

Cycling: 90KMS

Meals:   BLDS

 

DAY 11: Ao Luk to Koh Yao Noi

Our final morning on the mainland is a ride through a verdant blanket of tropical flora through which limestone pinnacles reach skyward as we wind towards Thalin Pier. A traditional long-tail boat will take us through a fairy-tail like seascape of jutting jagged cliffs to the tiny island of Koh Yao Noi. It is little short of astonishing that just a short ride from one of Asia’s premier tourist destinations an island can remain so tranquil and unspoiled by tourism. A twenty kilometres lap of the island offers a lovely ride on roads that are amazingly free of cars and high on beautiful views. For those feeling less energetic today's guesthouse is just across a narrow road from a sandy beach affording stunning views. 

Cycling: 45KMS.

Meals:   BLDS

 

DAY 12: Koh Yao Noi to Phuket

A short ride to the pier and another hour at sea takes us to the tropical gem that is Phuket Island. Similar in size to Singapore and joined to the mainland by twin bridges in the north, Phuket offers all things to all men. The wild anything and everything goes beachside party town of Patong in the south is in stark contrast to the lazy Nai Yang Beach where we spend our final night together. Being just five minutes from the international airport one would expect this to be a beach teeming with tourists. Fortunately, the reality is that most tourists pass Nai Yang by in a mad dash to the south, leaving this beautiful little beach as a perfect spot for a final evening watching the sunset as we reminiscing about a wonderful bicycle ride through Thailand.

Cycling: 30KMS.

Meals:   BLDS

 

DAY 13: Finish

The tour officially finishes this morning. For those who are flying out today, we will provide transport to Phuket International Airport.

Meals: B

Key

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    £ Pound Sterling Payment Option

    Our prices are all in US dollars but we can offer you the option of paying in GBP (£) based on the exchange rate at the time of booking. You can choose on the booking form, adjusted prices will be shown there.

    Dates Price Availability

    2024: 18 Feb - 01 Mar

    $2950.00
    *Single Suppl.: $470.00

    Full
    Will run

    Bicycle Hire

    US$200

    *Single Supplement.

    The prices quoted above are for a twin room share basis. If you are travelling alone you will be paired up with another lone traveler of the same gender to share with. Single room occupancy can be arranged, the single supplement rate shown is per person.

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